Confident Christianity

Isaiah 32:14-18; 44:2-5; Ezekiel 36:24-28; 37:12-14; Joel 2:26-29 Throughout the Hebrew Bible, we find several prophecies about the outpouring of God’s spirit. Each of them occurs in the Kingdom age.
Acts 1:3-9 Jesus told the disciples they would receive a baptism in the spirit in a few days. They immediately asked him about when the Kingdom would come, since the outpouring of the spirit and the coming of the Kingdom were linked in their thinking.
Acts 2:1-4, 12-18, 32-33 Finally, we come to the day of Pentecost and the moment when the spirit comes down upon God’s people. Peter looks to Joel’s prophecy to interpret what happened. This is when Christianity goes public.
Acts 4:1-22 When Peter stood before the very same leaders who had orchestrated Jesus’ crucifixion, he didn’t blink. He’s filled with the spirit and bold beyond measure.
Acts 8:26-35 Philip dares to approach the treasurer of Ethiopia while he’s on the road in his chariot. Amazingly, the man converts on the spot!
Acts 17:16-34 Paul preaches to the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at Athens, apparently unintimidated by their intellectual pedigrees.
Acts 25:23-26:9 Even knowing that his fate is on the line, Paul shares his testimony with King Agrippa, challenging him to believe in Jesus.
Acts 29:1ff It’s now your time. Stand up and be a witness who testifies boldly in the power of God’s spirit.